Pennsylvania Sentencing Data, 1977, 1980, 1983 (ICPSR 8327)

Principal Investigator(s):
Pennsylvania Sentencing Commission

Summary:

This data collection contains information on sentencing
decisions in Pennsylvania for three years: 1977, 1980, and 1983. The
1977 data are based on separate 12-percent random samples of sentences
selected from each of Pennsylvania's 67 counties. The 1980 data were
collected in 23 of Pennsylvania's 67 counties. The sampling strategy
varied by county, and a description is included in the codebook. The
1983 data are based on sentencing guideline forms submitted to the
Commission by sentencing judges. The data include sentences imposed
for felony and misdemeanor offenses, excluding driving under the
influence. All three files contain demographic information, including
defendant's sex, race, age, prior record, offense charge, sentences
imposed, weapon usage, victim information, and socioeconomic status.

This data collection contains information on sentencing
decisions in Pennsylvania for three years: 1977, 1980, and 1983. The
1977 data are based on separate 12-percent random samples of sentences
selected from each of Pennsylvania's 67 counties. The 1980 data were
collected in 23 of Pennsylvania's 67 counties. The sampling strategy
varied by county, and a description is included in the codebook. The
1983 data are based on sentencing guideline forms submitted to the
Commission by sentencing judges. The data include sentences imposed
for felony and misdemeanor offenses, excluding driving under the
influence. All three files contain demographic information, including
defendant's sex, race, age, prior record, offense charge, sentences
imposed, weapon usage, victim information, and socioeconomic status.

Access Notes

The public-use data files in this collection are available for access by the general public.
Access does not require affiliation with an ICPSR member institution.

Methodology

Data Source:

1977: Records from the Pennsylvania clerk of courts,
state police, probation office, and district attorney. 1980: Records
from the Pennsylvania clerk of courts, and state police. 1983:
Guideline sentence forms submitted to the Pennsylvania Sentencing
Commission from sentencing judges.

Version(s)

Original ICPSR Release: 1985-05-24

Version History:

2006-01-18 File CB8327.PDF was removed from any previous datasets and flagged as a study-level file, so that it will accompany all downloads.